CHARLOTTE — More than 100 faithful including several lay Dominicans attended a rare Dominican rite Latin Mass at St. Ann Church April 18.
The Mass was offered by Dominican Father Raymund Snyder from Washington, D.C., and the Mass was possibly the first Dominican rite Mass offered in the Diocese of Charlotte’s history. Prior to the Second Vatican Council, certain religious orders including the Dominicans retained their own liturgical customs including a distinct Mass, which reflected the charism of the order.
After Vatican II, most orders including the Dominicans adopted the Mass of Pope Paul VI, now called the Ordinary Form Mass. The Dominican rite liturgy, which dates back to the 13th century, is similar to the Traditional Latin Mass (Extraordinary Form Mass), but with a few variations.
Mass begins with a priest preparing the chalice (which normally occurs during the offertory), and after the consecration the priest extends his hands in a cruciform gesture. After Mass, Father Snyder provided a talk on cultivating a God-centered spiritual life through the indwelling of the Holy Trinity; and how God works deeper in a person’s soul, beyond an emotional level.
He also introduced the attendees to St. Elizabeth of the Trinity, who cultivated within herself the dwelling place of God amidst the busyness of life. The event was sponsored by St. Ann Parish.
— Markus Kuncoro and Mike FitzGerald | Catholic News Herald